U.S. Government News

IRS Notice: Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:31:23 PST

Did you receive a notice from the IRS this year? Every year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers but that doesn't mean you need to worry. Here are eight things every taxpayer should know about IRS notices - just in case one shows up in your mailbox.

Opportunity Tax Credit: Six Facts about the American Opportunity Tax Credit

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:19:44 PST

There is still time left to take advantage of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, a credit that will help many parents and college students offset the cost of college. This tax credit is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is available through December 31, 2010.

Tax Lady: California Seeks $34 Million From TV's Tax Lady Roni Deutch For Victimizing Thousands Who Sought Her Aid in Dealing With the IRS

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:21:28 PST

Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today filed a $34 million lawsuit against television's "Tax Lady Roni Deutch" for orchestrating a "heartless scheme" that swindled thousands of people facing serious and expensive tax collection problems with the IRS

Tax Return Preparers: IRS Announces New Return Preparer Application System that Goes live in September

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:20:30 PST

The Internal Revenue Service today announced that a new online application system for compensated tax return preparers is expected to go live in mid-September. The IRS has proposed to require all individuals who receive compensation for preparing all or substantially all of a federal tax return or claim for refund after Dec. 31, 2010, to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).

Hazardous Chemicals: OSHA Seeks Your Input on Identifying the Top Chemicals of Concern

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:36:31 PST

Workers exposed to chemicals suffer injuries and illnesses that can damage virtually all body parts and systems, including the lungs, skin, liver, kidneys, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Flu and Diabetes: Increased Risk from Flu

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:22:50 PST

People with diabetes (type 1 and 2), even when well-managed, are at increased risk of severe disease and complications, like hospitalization and even death, as a result of getting the flu.

U.S.Travel Warning for the Russian Federation

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:12:24 PST

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of travel to the Russian Federation due to the ongoing wildfires. The Department of State has authorized the departure of dependents and non-critical mission personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Bogus Medical Discount Cards: FTC Crack Down on Bogus "Medical Discount Plans

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:30:41 PST

With so many Americans struggling to deal with the costs of health care, these medical discount benefit plans sound appealing because they masquerade as health insurance,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But they are not insurance.

Grant Notice: Waiting List Reduction Grant Deadline September 30, 2010

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:08:19 PST

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Waiting List Reduction Grants provide funding to adult literacy organizations to address student waiting list reduction efforts. Nonprofit organizations must provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following instructional areas:

CDC : Pregnant Women & Influenza (Flu)

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:57:45 PST

Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. The flu shot given during pregnancy has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu. (The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to women who are pregnant.) Learn more about the......

Bogus Domain Name Renewal Fees Scam Halted by FTC

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:57:36 PST

The Federal Trade Commission has permanently halted the operations of Canadian con artists who allegedly posed as domain name registrars and convinced thousands of U.S. consumers, small businesses and non-profit organizations to pay bogus bills by leading them to believe they would lose their Web site addresses unless they paid. Settlement and default judgment orders signed by the court will bar the deceptive practices in the future.

Free Entrance Days in Your National Parks: Mark Your Calendars

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:42:45 PST

America's Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this year with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees*.

Unemployment Benefits: Michigan restores federal unemployment benefit payments to those who had been cutoff

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:38:17 PST

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency has restored federal unemployment benefits to some 69,500 jobless workers in the state who had their benefits cutoff in July when the federal extension programs expired.

U.S. Postal Service Ends Third Quarter with $3.5 Billion Loss

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:29:54 PST

The U.S. Postal Service ended the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 (April 1 – June 30) with a net loss of $3.5 billion, compared with a net loss of $2.4 billion for the same quarter last year. Third-quarter mail volume totaled 40.9 billion pieces – down approximately 700 million pieces, or 1.7 percent, compared to a year ago.

What's New: Pregnancy and Medicines Government Topic Page

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:17:06 PST

There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Before you start or stop any medicine, it is always best to speak with the doctor who is caring for you while you are pregnant. Read on to learn about deciding to use medicine while pregnant.

Refund Anticipation Loans: IRS Removes Debt Indicator for 2011 Tax Filing Season

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:55:59 PST

The Internal Revenue Service today announced that starting with next year's tax filing season it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the "debt indicator," which is used to facilitate refund anticipation loans (RALs).

FBI Releases Bank Crime Statistics for First Quarter of 2010

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:05:49 PST

During the first quarter of 2010, there were 1,183 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statue, a decrease from the 1,521 reported violations in the same quarter of 2009.

International Taxation: IRS Realigns Large Business Division, Focus on International Tax

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:22:32 PST

As part of a continuing effort to improve global tax administration efforts, Internal Revenue Service officials announced today the realignment of the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) division to create a more centralized organization dedicated to improving international tax compliance.

FCC Launches Consumer Help Center

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:36:49 PST

Starting today, consumers have a new, easy-to-use, Consumer Help Center that puts them within one click of all the information they want from the Federal Communications Commission.

$100 Million Rate Reduction for Farmers Auto Insurance Customers

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:32:13 PST

California Insurance Commissioner Poizner announced that hundreds of thousands of Farmers Insurance customers are eligible to receive an average rate reduction of 14.5 percent and a one time 10 percent insurance premium rebate, worth a combined total of up to $100 million.